Sardar@150 Unity March Begins: National Padyatra Celebrates Legacy of Unity

In a historic and emotional tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, the Sardar@150 Unity March was officially launched on 26 November 2025 from Anand, Gujarat. The 11-day National Padyatra covers 180 km on foot, culminating at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, and brings together the youth of India in a celebration of unity, discipline, and nation-building.

Organised by Mera Yuva (MY) Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, this initiative represents the essence of Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, promoting national integration through community outreach, cultural exchange, and grassroots participation.

Launch Ceremony: Honouring the Iron Man of India

The padyatra began with dignitaries visiting Sardar Patel’s ancestral home in Karamsad, offering floral tributes to the architect of India’s political unification. The launch ceremony was held at Shastri Maidan, Vallabh Vidyanagar, where leaders including,

• Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat
• Dr. Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Tripura
• Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Women & Child Development
• Smt. Nimuben Bambhaniya, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
• Shri Jagdishbhai Vishwakarma, State BJP President
• Senior government officials and thousands of youth

…came together to flag off the National Padyatra at 12:00 PM. The launch also featured the release of the Sardar Song and a video compilation showcasing padyatra activities from across India.

Prime Minister Modi’s Message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his blessings through a heartfelt message, calling India’s youth (Yuva Shakti) the “pillars of unity and national strength”. He praised Sardar Patel’s enduring legacy and urged young citizens to walk forward in his footsteps to build a strong, vibrant and self-reliant India.

• The event featured the Aatmanirbhar Bharat pledge, symbolizing collective commitment toward national development.

Marching for Unity: Route, Engagement, and Day 1 Highlights

• On Day 1, the padyatra covered 10.4 km across Anand district, passing through 10 thematic points, each representing key elements of Sardar Patel’s vision.
• Public outreach activities, such as Pratima Sanman (statue homage) and interactive sessions, strengthened local engagement.
• An exhibition on “Sardar and the Foundations of Agricultural Cooperatives” highlighted his role in India’s cooperative and agricultural reform movement.
• Evening cultural programmes at Navli included folk music, patriotic performances, and plays on Sardar Patel’s life, inspiring pride and unity among participants and onlookers.
• Thousands of youth marched together under the banner of “Ek Bharat – Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, echoing Sardar Patel’s ideals of unity, discipline, and responsibility.

National Integration Through Pravah Road Yatras

Running parallel to the padyatra, four national-level Pravah Road Yatras are integrating participants from different corners of India,

• Ganga Pravah – from Delhi
• Yamuna Pravah – from Jaipur
• Narmada Pravah – from Nagpur
• Godavari Pravah – to begin from Mumbai on 28 November

These yatras are designed to converge in Anand, merging with the National Padyatra and symbolizing the coming together of India’s diverse regions in a single message of unity and shared purpose.